Tori and Coco
Sharen and Barbara
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
10/30/2012: Chickens as Hats
Tori and Coco
Sharen and Barbara
October 30, 2012: Mabel is Fine.
All that anxiety, for us and for her, and she is fine, no egg yet, but doing great, eating, running around etc. She however is very wary of me, the one who did the digital exam and soaked her hiney in water to try to relax her muscles and help her lay that first egg, which apparently does not yet exist.
She looks at me funny and runs away, who wouldn't after that ordeal. Hopefully she will forget those events, or at least know that mommy was trying to help. I got some good advice, as posted on FB, from my Cousin Judi, which was basically, "chill out", she'll lay when she's good and ready.
Perhaps I should not have read so much about chicken health threats. But I'm Italian, and in my famiglia we worry in advance, and always expect and prepare for the worst, so naturally seeing her in what looked like first egg pain made me run to the resources and instigate the treatment.
For fellow chicken lovers, not just chicken raisers, but those of us who love these sweet, funny, goofy feathered little things, we understand that these are God's creatures, our pets with benefits.
Other than scratch in the lawn and poop alot, they do no harm. Their sweet little voices greeting me in the morning as they run to me, knowing that Mommy is gonna feed them some scratch, it so delightful. Sitting with them, Cal and I each holding a little girl and having them fall asleep in our arms, is a peaceful experience. Even Annie is getting used to having them share her yard, and is intensely interested in their every move, but has not chased them in two days.
And then presto, every day or so we get a delicious little brown egg, the best I've ever tasted. Gave several to Karen and John and even John ( a tough crowd ) said how much better they were.
Everyone have a blessed day, and say a prayer for those in the path of Hurricane Sandy.
The Chicken Wrangler signing off.
She looks at me funny and runs away, who wouldn't after that ordeal. Hopefully she will forget those events, or at least know that mommy was trying to help. I got some good advice, as posted on FB, from my Cousin Judi, which was basically, "chill out", she'll lay when she's good and ready.
Perhaps I should not have read so much about chicken health threats. But I'm Italian, and in my famiglia we worry in advance, and always expect and prepare for the worst, so naturally seeing her in what looked like first egg pain made me run to the resources and instigate the treatment.
For fellow chicken lovers, not just chicken raisers, but those of us who love these sweet, funny, goofy feathered little things, we understand that these are God's creatures, our pets with benefits.
Other than scratch in the lawn and poop alot, they do no harm. Their sweet little voices greeting me in the morning as they run to me, knowing that Mommy is gonna feed them some scratch, it so delightful. Sitting with them, Cal and I each holding a little girl and having them fall asleep in our arms, is a peaceful experience. Even Annie is getting used to having them share her yard, and is intensely interested in their every move, but has not chased them in two days.
And then presto, every day or so we get a delicious little brown egg, the best I've ever tasted. Gave several to Karen and John and even John ( a tough crowd ) said how much better they were.
Everyone have a blessed day, and say a prayer for those in the path of Hurricane Sandy.
The Chicken Wrangler signing off.
Sunday, October 28, 2012
October 28, 2012: Mabel's Unwell Tonight..
Another beautiful day in Northern California and spent a lot of time outside with the girls. All was well with the girls until about 4:30pm when Mabel went back into the coop, squatted down and began to make a weird noise. She looked like she was trying to poop....or lay an egg, but was having trouble. This would be her first egg. Barbara was staying near her, laying down next to her maybe playing mid-wife or delivery coach.
Went to our chicken wrangling resource books regarding a hen who may be egg bound, or with an egg stuck sideways, so to speak. And yes folks, I had to glove up and explore her vent ( hiney region). As an RN, I lost the toss. Really did not know what ai was supposed to feel, but was afraid to pursue this too far, an perhaps beak the egg or hurt my girl, both unacceptable.
Decided on plan B and brought her in and submerged her back end in semi-hot water in the sink, as per instructed in our chicken health book, for 20 minutes. She actually fell asleep during the dunking, in her Daddy's arms, with her little eyes closed while Mommy gently bathed her nether regions with hotish water.
We then dried her off and placed her back in the nest area. We will check her in two hours, then repeat. If no luck she will have to to see The Country Vet in the morning. BUT we are hopeful she will lay her first little blue egg tonight, and be OK. She is such a precious little thing. She was perfectly fine all day, eating, scratching around and chortling. I'm worried.
Saturday, October 27, 2012
October 27, 2012: Another egg this morning. These girls Rock!
I let the girls out into the yard about 8am into a beautiful sunny day with just a light breeze, Threw out Scratch calling "chick chick," guess that's what your supposed to say, anyway they didn't need any coaxing. They hit the Scratch hard. Annie was allowed to join us, and did very well with "no chase/nice'.Cal and I sat outside with our coffee and watched them cruise around cooing and clucking and making a brrrrrrrr sound.
I heard a hawk calling somewhere in the tree about 2 houses from us. Both girls alerted and headed for the coop. Very smart. They both went up into the nest/roost area and within 3 minutes Barbara had laid a nice little brown egg.
We have so many trees and shrubs in out yard that a hawk would have a difficult time diving down to get the girls, but just in case, we put their outdoor patio in place that gives them extra room to hang our while still being able to go right into the coop, and stay safe.
Latter today we went back out and each held a little girl petting and talking to them for several minutes. Annie tried to jump on our laps too, but we gently told her no, but leaned down to pet her. However, her knickers were still in a twist. She walked out into the yard, seemingly ignoring us. However we found her sneaking a peek at us from behind the potted geranium. It was so dang cute, those little brown eyes peeking through the leaves. That was our cue to let the girls down and pick up Annie who wanted some cuddles too, as if we don't cuddle her constantly. BUT- it was progress as she did not chase or bug the chickens at all.
This is part of my chicken wrangler dream, to be out in the yard with the girls and Annie, living in harmony.
I heard a hawk calling somewhere in the tree about 2 houses from us. Both girls alerted and headed for the coop. Very smart. They both went up into the nest/roost area and within 3 minutes Barbara had laid a nice little brown egg.
We have so many trees and shrubs in out yard that a hawk would have a difficult time diving down to get the girls, but just in case, we put their outdoor patio in place that gives them extra room to hang our while still being able to go right into the coop, and stay safe.
Latter today we went back out and each held a little girl petting and talking to them for several minutes. Annie tried to jump on our laps too, but we gently told her no, but leaned down to pet her. However, her knickers were still in a twist. She walked out into the yard, seemingly ignoring us. However we found her sneaking a peek at us from behind the potted geranium. It was so dang cute, those little brown eyes peeking through the leaves. That was our cue to let the girls down and pick up Annie who wanted some cuddles too, as if we don't cuddle her constantly. BUT- it was progress as she did not chase or bug the chickens at all.
This is part of my chicken wrangler dream, to be out in the yard with the girls and Annie, living in harmony.
Friday, October 26, 2012
October 26, 2012: The Girls And The Cat
We had an intruder in the yard yesterday. Fortunately the girls were in their enclosed coop patio area. How did we know about this, you ask, cause the girls set up such a ruckus you could hear them up and down the street.
I have been under the weather, but Cal ran outside and chased the damn cat away. Frankly I think Barbara could take any cat, but don't want to test that hypothesis.We never leave them out in the yard when we are gone.
Today they cruised all over the yard, clear over to the east side yard and found a hiding place in the bushes causing Cal to think he had somehow lost them. He scoured the yard to no avail until finally hearing adorable coos from behind the bushes. There they were hunkered down bathing in the dust, having a great time. Mable scurried out and made a break for the deck, hopping up on the hedge, running along is then jumping down and heading for the coop.
My Mom came by and went out with me to see them, she even threw some scratch for them, See she is afraid of chickens, but is warming up to them.
I spent the day in bed and the girls frequently sat on the door mat outside the bedroom slider resting, lucking, and just peering in at me. I did venture out to cuddle with Mabel, and Barbara laid another egg. She is a mechanic in the egg laying department.
It was a basically quiet day, well except for the cat that is. Damn cat!
Hoping to feel better tomorrow friends.
I have been under the weather, but Cal ran outside and chased the damn cat away. Frankly I think Barbara could take any cat, but don't want to test that hypothesis.We never leave them out in the yard when we are gone.
Today they cruised all over the yard, clear over to the east side yard and found a hiding place in the bushes causing Cal to think he had somehow lost them. He scoured the yard to no avail until finally hearing adorable coos from behind the bushes. There they were hunkered down bathing in the dust, having a great time. Mable scurried out and made a break for the deck, hopping up on the hedge, running along is then jumping down and heading for the coop.
My Mom came by and went out with me to see them, she even threw some scratch for them, See she is afraid of chickens, but is warming up to them.
I spent the day in bed and the girls frequently sat on the door mat outside the bedroom slider resting, lucking, and just peering in at me. I did venture out to cuddle with Mabel, and Barbara laid another egg. She is a mechanic in the egg laying department.
It was a basically quiet day, well except for the cat that is. Damn cat!
Hoping to feel better tomorrow friends.
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
October 24, 2012: Annie Goes Nuts!
Enter Mabel and Barbara. Annie has been so interested in them, and probably a little jealous of the attention they receive. We have been slowly introducing them to each other.
Using behavioral techniques and coaching, we have kept Annie on a leash and allowed her to get close to the girls. The girls seem mildly interested in her, and slowly move away pecking at new parts of the lawn. Then, we've let her out into the yard while the girls are in the coop and coached her not to jump on the coop. Ok so far so good.
Yesterday afternoon we let Annie out into the yard while the girls were roaming around on the lawn, coaching Annie to "be nice/no chase". This went well for about 5 minutes, and what happened next was really Barbara's fault.
Annie got a closer, but was just walking along, sniffing where the girls had been, Barbara suddenly flapped her wings and took off running. The chase was on.
Annie thought this was so much fun, and clearly saw it as a game, and perhaps someday it will be. She never tried to bite, or harm the chickens in anyway, but she did have a gleam in her eye. She loves to chase the ball, the "baby", and anything else we will toss, so a running chicken looked like a hell of a lot of fun.
When we said, well really shouted, Annie No Chase, she stopped and came right to me. Such a good girl. The chickens calmed right down and went back to cruising the yard. All was well in the Kingdom of the Chicken Wrangler, again,
By the way, chicken seem to ignore commands like "stay", "come" etc. And when they run they look just like their ancestors, T-Rex and Velocoraptor . Kinda scary. Maybe the chicken stare is some deep dinosaur engrams firing off in their little chicken brains, saying: Meal or Mama?
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
October 23. 2012: Cooped up all day and not liking it.
The girls weathered their first storm well with only a few grumbles about not being able to get out in the yard. Barbara even laid another egg yesterday afternoon. After the storm passed, we let them out for a bit, then held and talked to them for a few minutes. Mabel seems to love this and likes to be held in my arms. Barbara likes it too, but wants down sooner than Mabel.
No eggs from Mable yet and she is just about 6 months old, so hopefully she will start laying any day.
This morning I let them out, then went back to make the bed. I opened the drapes to find Mabel standing looking in at me, like, whatcha doin? She stood and watched me carefully, very interested in each simple action of bed making. It feels wonderful to have someone fascinated by your every move. Like I'm the greatest thing since sliced bread, or corn scratch in the girls case.
They spend lots of time looking in the sliding doors. While sitting on the couch last week, alone at home, I distinctly felt that I was not alone, and was being watched. Kinda creepy until I looked towards the door and found two chickens sitting on the door mat by the door both looking intently at me. What are they trying to tell me? More Scratch Mama...or perhaps another delicious tomato please....or no more bananas, yuck......? Are they trying to communicate by brain waves? Nothing can stare at you like a chicken, I'll tell ya.
BTW our first winter storm brought tornado's which touched down just south of us and tore up the little 9 hole golf course pretty good. Not typical for this area. Also have snow in the Sierra's. We're headed up that way soon to check on the cabin and no, the chickens aren't going.
No eggs from Mable yet and she is just about 6 months old, so hopefully she will start laying any day.
This morning I let them out, then went back to make the bed. I opened the drapes to find Mabel standing looking in at me, like, whatcha doin? She stood and watched me carefully, very interested in each simple action of bed making. It feels wonderful to have someone fascinated by your every move. Like I'm the greatest thing since sliced bread, or corn scratch in the girls case.
They spend lots of time looking in the sliding doors. While sitting on the couch last week, alone at home, I distinctly felt that I was not alone, and was being watched. Kinda creepy until I looked towards the door and found two chickens sitting on the door mat by the door both looking intently at me. What are they trying to tell me? More Scratch Mama...or perhaps another delicious tomato please....or no more bananas, yuck......? Are they trying to communicate by brain waves? Nothing can stare at you like a chicken, I'll tell ya.
BTW our first winter storm brought tornado's which touched down just south of us and tore up the little 9 hole golf course pretty good. Not typical for this area. Also have snow in the Sierra's. We're headed up that way soon to check on the cabin and no, the chickens aren't going.
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